TKG, you sound weary & wary. I hope you have time to take stock of the magic & mischief & wonder of it all - in between planning for next year, and all the whosits & whatsits that are not right now.
I hope that the stars continue to pull at your hair, and that the fear of shallow living that we share means that the mermaid pod you created here will help refill your cup. (Ah, Anais Nin. What a gift.)
Love to you & Lady G & the extraordinary humans in your life
“I understand the importance of knowing your ‘Companions’ and your ‘Competition’ but have you ever thought that maybe the ‘COMPARISON’ between is getting tangled in the sails and blowing our lil ship here and there amongst the waves?”
Sometimes we just sail so much smoother when we are who we are and who we were made to be - not who “they” are or what we think “they” want us to be. (Fill in the blank to who your “they” might be).
Oh. This is gonna make my chipping away at more of Fred's Run a treat (I am a clever girl, but I'm going for 150km of movement instead. Gotta save the running for the stairs where the Daleks can't get me).
Sending you all the Murray Gold & Royal Albert Hall Joy - the Uncle Paul (McCartney), Spiceworld (my Hard Day's Night & Help!), and the beloved Whovian kind.
Triple Albie wishes. Whoah. I must really have found a kindred spirit.
"Sometimes we just sail so much smoother when we are who we are and who we were made to be - not who “they” are or what we think “they” want us to be. (Fill in the blank to who your “they” might be)." LOVE THIS
I ended this one with a hand over my aching heart. You have no idea how much I needed this message. Lately I feel like 43 years old is an odd and unexpected tipping point between being young and vibrant and older and (just speaking for myself) not as relevant or lovely and I find myself questioning more the choices I would have quickly made because they felt joyful wondering if it’s maybe too youthful for this age. The Ted Lasso Believe sticker on the back of my phone case and the bright yellow crocs with a variety of fun jibbitz which make me smile every time with their joyful colour and playfulness? A hesitation now and a feeling that I need to be something different because I’m getting older. Reading this I feel like my unique song - the choices that make me joyful are the right one. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.
I love this! THANK YOU!! My kids grew up in the 80s and 90s before all this device-delivered madness invaded our homes. I work in early intervention (helping families with infants and toddlers who have developmental delays) and commonly see 2 year olds expertly navigating on their parents phone. Sigh. Thank you for the reminder of the preciousness of our uniqueness.
I arrived in 86. A million thank yous for all that you do. The Maxine Gray life is not one for the faint of heart (ah, Judging Amy. What a gift of a telly series you were).
And, for raising two tiny humans who got to meet the Spice Girls the first time around & knew libraries before this thing called a Kindle showed up. The tightrope of analogue & digital - and the choices we had as to how to engage with them was such a gift.
I live in an awkward paradox as I am an instructor of Technology Exploration and iPad literacy for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities...for some it is an amazing communication tool but for others it’s just a device to play games or watch videos and sometimes I wonder if I am perpetuating a problem while trying my best to educate and bring solutions to the technology they face day to day...
Right back atcha. Our almost-threes use communication devices also and I agree for some it really is miraculous. Like anything else, all things in moderation, and for the right reasons. I do miss the days of taking turns on our game boy playing tetris with my kids, LOL.
I loved this one today (I probably say that after listening each week). I grew up in the 70’s, long before social media, and there was lots of pressure to fit in. We didn’t call it bullying back then but I was a bit of a weird kid who dressed differently and I was reminded of this every day until I went to a large inner city high school in the 80’s where it was actually cool to be an individual. Still, I struggled for years with how I saw myself - perhaps distracted by TV, movies and advertising (our equivalent of today’s social media?). Somehow, I ended up with two children who have the confidence to be who they are, despite the typical addiction to their phones. As a I age and care far, far less about what other people think, only now am I able to truly listen for and sing my own song. I think if we could all learn to do that- and accept the songs of others- we would not be (so) broken.
Tyler, I love the photo you shared My daughter just became engaged on the Oregon Coast! Ok back to point, it is tiring to deal with comparisons, and to ground yourself in the midst of all the noise. Yet taking two minutes to just stop and be still has been the best way to deal with panic and anxiety and ...all the other ticks in my personality. You are a true light, and thanks for this post. Love it.
Sometimes you gotta slow down to speed up...not that you need my permission but here is your hall pass to take that time and “Be Still” when life asks you for it. 😊
The sense of comparing our lives to others and wanting what they have and to somehow fit a mold isn't confined to teenagers. My mom has been trying to force our fracturing family (me, my kids and grandkids) to be like her friend's family - all inclusive and everyone goes to everyone's events, shared vacations, etc. That's not us - never will be - for myriad reasons. She doesn't understand why people can go no contact with family, saying that sometimes people leave this world unexpectedly, leaving things unsaid. We, the people of this planet, need to focus on living our own best lives, finding our own path that leads to our happiness. Life is too short to be based on what others might think.
I spent 29 years living life for my parents and a terrible ex. Thought I was too far into to change and find myself. One day I had enough, and just started a new life. It’s been the hardest thing. I am realizing more and more how many people have given up on their dreams. I think back to school and can only remember our individuality being stripped away as we were all encouraged to conform and fit into friend groups. We need more people in this world being radically authentic and showing others it’s ok to be. That it’s not too late to be who we truly are!
I always love a music analogy. Thank you for this. I feel like I'm always pushing against what's trendy or popular. The older I get, the more I march to my own beat and reject anything that doesn't feel like me. I am perfectly happy in my rhythm.
Wow. Just...wow. 💜 🎻
:) I hope the wow's are good wows. You're amazing.
DEFINITELY good wows 🙌
TKG, you sound weary & wary. I hope you have time to take stock of the magic & mischief & wonder of it all - in between planning for next year, and all the whosits & whatsits that are not right now.
I hope that the stars continue to pull at your hair, and that the fear of shallow living that we share means that the mermaid pod you created here will help refill your cup. (Ah, Anais Nin. What a gift.)
Love to you & Lady G & the extraordinary humans in your life
Ahh, all is well, life is a wearying thing, but so very much worth it. All the love right back to you.
Preach on, Preacher!
I spoke with a co-worker this week and said,
“I understand the importance of knowing your ‘Companions’ and your ‘Competition’ but have you ever thought that maybe the ‘COMPARISON’ between is getting tangled in the sails and blowing our lil ship here and there amongst the waves?”
Sometimes we just sail so much smoother when we are who we are and who we were made to be - not who “they” are or what we think “they” want us to be. (Fill in the blank to who your “they” might be).
🙏🏼✌🏼🤟🏼
Touche to the nth degree my brother. Nailed it, as per usual in this place.
Mr. Colvin.
I see what you did there. Who & Gallifrey seems to have done quite a number on you, too.
Thanks for enriching my life & making my story a much gooder one!
In bowties & fezes & fish fingers & custard. All the cool things that make my hearts happy.
Violet One...
I would be amiss not to pass this link along to you...hard to believe this album is 12 years old...but for any Whovian it holds up very well!!!
https://chameleoncircuit.bandcamp.com/album/still-got-legs
Oh. This is gonna make my chipping away at more of Fred's Run a treat (I am a clever girl, but I'm going for 150km of movement instead. Gotta save the running for the stairs where the Daleks can't get me).
Sending you all the Murray Gold & Royal Albert Hall Joy - the Uncle Paul (McCartney), Spiceworld (my Hard Day's Night & Help!), and the beloved Whovian kind.
Triple Albie wishes. Whoah. I must really have found a kindred spirit.
Allonsy!
Jo 💙💙
"Sometimes we just sail so much smoother when we are who we are and who we were made to be - not who “they” are or what we think “they” want us to be. (Fill in the blank to who your “they” might be)." LOVE THIS
I ended this one with a hand over my aching heart. You have no idea how much I needed this message. Lately I feel like 43 years old is an odd and unexpected tipping point between being young and vibrant and older and (just speaking for myself) not as relevant or lovely and I find myself questioning more the choices I would have quickly made because they felt joyful wondering if it’s maybe too youthful for this age. The Ted Lasso Believe sticker on the back of my phone case and the bright yellow crocs with a variety of fun jibbitz which make me smile every time with their joyful colour and playfulness? A hesitation now and a feeling that I need to be something different because I’m getting older. Reading this I feel like my unique song - the choices that make me joyful are the right one. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.
“Jibbitz” - I was looking for that word earlier this week and couldn’t remember it - thank you!
That word falls in the same category as when I ask our members to use the “Widgets” on their iPads and hilarity ensues...
Jibbitz is just a word filled with personality and joy! And especially when placed on bright yellow crocs!!!
Shine on those rays of joy, Heather 🤩
Thank you, my friend! Happy I filled in the word for you!
I want to go Full Sonny Corleone & take on anyone who made you feel like choosing colour was "for the young".
Older is a superpower - more knowledge, deeper insight, more authenticity. A deeper well of kindness & compassion & growth.
It's "trendy" to call it dopamine dressing & talk blahblahcore & "aesthetic" & "vibes". But, isn't what we get to choose a gift?
Enjoy the cheerful crocs. Melissas are also rad - the bubblegum smell is A Lot for me. But, I do like looking at all the options. And, the sparkles.
Love, my mama's quirky bird & Human Canvas x
I love this! THANK YOU!! My kids grew up in the 80s and 90s before all this device-delivered madness invaded our homes. I work in early intervention (helping families with infants and toddlers who have developmental delays) and commonly see 2 year olds expertly navigating on their parents phone. Sigh. Thank you for the reminder of the preciousness of our uniqueness.
I arrived in 86. A million thank yous for all that you do. The Maxine Gray life is not one for the faint of heart (ah, Judging Amy. What a gift of a telly series you were).
And, for raising two tiny humans who got to meet the Spice Girls the first time around & knew libraries before this thing called a Kindle showed up. The tightrope of analogue & digital - and the choices we had as to how to engage with them was such a gift.
Jen,
I live in an awkward paradox as I am an instructor of Technology Exploration and iPad literacy for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities...for some it is an amazing communication tool but for others it’s just a device to play games or watch videos and sometimes I wonder if I am perpetuating a problem while trying my best to educate and bring solutions to the technology they face day to day...
Thank you for the work you do!!!
Right back atcha. Our almost-threes use communication devices also and I agree for some it really is miraculous. Like anything else, all things in moderation, and for the right reasons. I do miss the days of taking turns on our game boy playing tetris with my kids, LOL.
Yes, as a teacher, technology can be a double-edged sword. All in how we use it and how critically we can think about what we watch.
I saw The Music of Ainur while reading this.
I loved this one today (I probably say that after listening each week). I grew up in the 70’s, long before social media, and there was lots of pressure to fit in. We didn’t call it bullying back then but I was a bit of a weird kid who dressed differently and I was reminded of this every day until I went to a large inner city high school in the 80’s where it was actually cool to be an individual. Still, I struggled for years with how I saw myself - perhaps distracted by TV, movies and advertising (our equivalent of today’s social media?). Somehow, I ended up with two children who have the confidence to be who they are, despite the typical addiction to their phones. As a I age and care far, far less about what other people think, only now am I able to truly listen for and sing my own song. I think if we could all learn to do that- and accept the songs of others- we would not be (so) broken.
I was just thinking something similar earlier... But I love the music metaphor! Let us Weird Barbies unite! 😉
Tyler, I love the photo you shared My daughter just became engaged on the Oregon Coast! Ok back to point, it is tiring to deal with comparisons, and to ground yourself in the midst of all the noise. Yet taking two minutes to just stop and be still has been the best way to deal with panic and anxiety and ...all the other ticks in my personality. You are a true light, and thanks for this post. Love it.
Sometimes you gotta slow down to speed up...not that you need my permission but here is your hall pass to take that time and “Be Still” when life asks you for it. 😊
The sense of comparing our lives to others and wanting what they have and to somehow fit a mold isn't confined to teenagers. My mom has been trying to force our fracturing family (me, my kids and grandkids) to be like her friend's family - all inclusive and everyone goes to everyone's events, shared vacations, etc. That's not us - never will be - for myriad reasons. She doesn't understand why people can go no contact with family, saying that sometimes people leave this world unexpectedly, leaving things unsaid. We, the people of this planet, need to focus on living our own best lives, finding our own path that leads to our happiness. Life is too short to be based on what others might think.
I spent 29 years living life for my parents and a terrible ex. Thought I was too far into to change and find myself. One day I had enough, and just started a new life. It’s been the hardest thing. I am realizing more and more how many people have given up on their dreams. I think back to school and can only remember our individuality being stripped away as we were all encouraged to conform and fit into friend groups. We need more people in this world being radically authentic and showing others it’s ok to be. That it’s not too late to be who we truly are!
I always love a music analogy. Thank you for this. I feel like I'm always pushing against what's trendy or popular. The older I get, the more I march to my own beat and reject anything that doesn't feel like me. I am perfectly happy in my rhythm.